Jackets for St. Thomas Orphans

A couple days before Christmas, Fr. Varghese visited St. Thomas School in Panduru to deliver blessings and 30 jackets to little orphans, a gift he provided through the help of his "friendly circle" back in America.

Mission work day

The front entrance to Sacred Heart Mission in Kakinada was so muddy and uninviting, volunteers joined Fr. Varghese and visiting priest, Fr. Mariadas, in late August, in laying a concrete slab. Faithful of all ages pitched in, eager to improve their new little mission.

With a fledgling congregation and scarce funds, Fr. Varghese needs parishioners to lend a hand in  beautifying their mission. 

Despite heat and grit, workers had a fine time forming a work crew.

Digging earth by hand with primitive tools made a tough job tougher.

 Frs. Varghese and Mariadas helped form a "fire brigade" to move gravel.

Workers took a welcome break to enjoy a meal. Shown above, Fr. Mariadas lends a hand serving.

The mission signpost for Sacred Heart has script
in both English and Telegu.

Missions are hubs of renewal

Missions are exciting places, because people of all ages and vocations gather to worship, learn and refresh their spirits. 

Children experience terrace-top catechism with Missionaries of Charity atop Sacred Heart of Jesus Mission in Kakinada, India.

One young student gives her fellow classmate a helping hand 
in learning the sign of the cross.

Several classes meet at once atop the mission roof, because space is at a premium at Sacred Heart. The Mission's multi-purpose hall serves as church, priest residence and schoolroom. 

The "Mariadalem (Legion of Mary)" ladies learn how
to take Mary as model and pray to her as intercessor. They
wear blue to show their devotion to the Blessed Mother.

A "deanery" represents a region within a diocese. These deanery priests within the Diocese of Visakhapatnam came to Holy Family Mission for their day of recollection July 28, 2014. Deanery priests prayed and reflected on Scripture together, availed themselves of Confession, and shared adoration time. Monthly recollection days at various missions across the deanery, provide a perfect chance for missionaries to share news, ideas for better serving their people and general uplift.

As pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus Mission and host of the deanery priests, Fr. Varghese Kalapurakudy wondered how he would feed his visitors.  He lacked funds for a meal until just a couple days before the event, when friends from the U.S. sent a gift so the priests would be fed. Missionaries eat simply from day to day, so were thrilled to enjoy this special meal on their day of renewal.